There
are many myths surrounding those with red hair and freckles. It was once
believed that our speckled friends were unclean, they didn’t have souls, or they
were downright evil.

The
phrase “redheaded stepchild” doesn’t come from just anywhere.

Even
today many people with red hair and freckles are made fun of, bullied, and
treated as if they’re less beautiful than those who do not have freckles.

However,
one photographer, Brock Elbank is capturing something that is too often taken
for granted: the beauty of freckles.

Elbank
is seeking out men and women with freckles to create stunning portraits that
show just how enchanting they can be. Elbank hopes that his project will show
that the opposite of ordinary isn’t abnormal or weird, it’s extraordinary.

Freckles
may not be the most common characteristic we see in people and that’s exactly
why they should be adored nor abhorred.

“I
get more emails saying how much people have struggled with freckles as a child
and now they’ve grown to live with them,” Elbank told BBC. “I never understood
why people don’t like them. I love unusual. So many people just blend in… I
like people that standout. The more individual, the better for me.”

See
the stunning images below and please SHARE if you think freckles are
gorgeous!